Hello everyone. This is my first post on this message board. I've been reading this site for a long time and you look like a great bunch of guys.

I'm 17 and I'll tell you what my ride is. It is a 1971 chevelle with a 350. The motor started out as a 2 barrel making 150 horse at the rear wheels. I've put in a came kit for 1500-4500rpm. Not sure on the specs. I took off the manifold and put a edelbrock performer topped with a good quadrajet. Then I put headers on it that will be running through flowmasters through 2 1\4 inch pipes. I have a turbo 350 that I will put a shift kit in. My rear end right now is a open 2.73. I would like a posi but not sure on what gears. I want to keep the rpms low at highway speed but get off the line a little faster.
I know its not the fastest set-up but im only 17. Do any of you guys have a guess on what it would run in the 1\8 1\4.
This site looks great.

Welcome to this fabulous site!!!!
I hope I'm not busting any bubbles here, but, with that set up, and not knowing any cam specs, I'd say roughly 11s on the 1/8th and possibly 15s-16s on the 1/4...again, just a guess :confused: But don't fret, you're very young and well on your way to having a great car! As for gears, if you want really good take off and don't mind the motor revving a little high on the fwy/hwy, then 3.73s would be great. If you're looking for better acceleration, and at the same time some decent gas milage, then 3.55s would be good to. Some people might go as numerically low to 3.31, or if you get Mr. 4 Speed, he might just say stick with your 2.73s. Regardless, first of all....HAVE FUN! 2nd, figure out what you want out of the car, what you expect out of your car (in reality terms) and what your budget is going to be. Good luck and remember....HAVE FUN!!!! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Also, with some good tuning, maybe swapping over to an Edelbrock RPM or Air Gap, fine tunning that Q-jet or getting a good Holley, you might be able to click off mid to low 14s border high 13s off that lil 350 of yours. graemlins/thumbsup.gif When you're ready for more power...just ask away, and we'll be more then happy and ready to help you out graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/beers.gif

1971,

If you still have the sales receipt and the packaging material the cam kit came in, see if the cam's box has a number on one end or the other. Or maybe the receipt will list the cam and/or kit part number and brand..

Then please come back and post the number and the cam's brand and I figure somebody here should be able to tell you the cam spec's which will help a bunch..

Oooh, forgot, and welcome aboard....

pdq67

I found the specs on the cam, its lift is .420" on the intake and .442" on the exhaust. The duration is 204/214. I also replaced the complete ignition system. Thanks for replying.

Welcome!!!good to have another young gun on the board(i'm 17 too). the more the merry'er. anyways though. my combo is the exact same as yours right down to the gears and exhaust tubing size and with a terrible 60 ft time i managed to run a 9.8 in the 1/8th. i was running really rich though (bad tune) and mine is a 69 (don't know if that would make a difference). but either way let us know what you do run and good luck!
-Jay

Welcome!!!
You have a great start on a great car. Should run about 16's. A couple of oldie but cheap tricks:
1. Keep the 2.73 gears, but run shorter tires to simulate higher gears.
2. Play with a couple of carb spacers. Buy a couple or even make some out of plywood. Made one from a 2x6" scrap-dropped a .5 sec!
3. Make small improvement over time. It is very satisfying.
Enjoy the Journey!!!!!!!!!!1

I have that cam in my 66 Elky driver. It responds to 1.6 rocker better than any other cam I have seen. My Elky ran 15.05 at part throttle in the 1/4 (would have been in the 14's with full throttle but the combo of thick carpet and very heavy dual throttle return springs is my excuse smile.gif ). Mine has 3.36 gear, which I'm very happy with. 2800 rpm or so at 60 mph with the TH350 trans. You can look at my combo by clicking on the little house above.

Ah, yes, the good old generic "Performer" cam..

A very good one for mild motor applications..

pdq67

Save your pennies,don't waste your time with the small stuff...get a 454 and you'll be happy :D graemlins/waving.gif

Don't get caught up with Pat's times, you'll get there soon enough.

BTW Pat, was that run with TH350/1.5rockers or 2004R/1.6 rockers or TH350/1.6 rockers?

I run pretty much Pat's combo plus headers, except i run 2.73 gears.

So my combo is close to yours, somewhat. I'm only 18 too. So being a rookie driver with this combo i have only managed 10.17 1/8th times with a 2.1 60foot. that's high 15s i think. I think you can probably get yours down to 9.8-10.0 with good driving and a shorter tire.

I should be out at the track Thursday nite with shorter tires, I'll post what happens. (1/8th times)

IMO, you should run 3.55s, that's what I'm planning.

Good luck.

What state are you from?

That was with 1.6 rockers and the 350 trans. Exhaust manifolds, 2.25" system, open rear and BFG TA/radials.

Thanks Pat.

I wonder what the chances are that 1.6s will work on my 882 smog heads?

Do you have 1.6s on both Int and Exh?

I'm going to do a compression check on the cylinders and run once more at Irwindale before taking a few weeks off to adjust to my new school schedule. After that I'm going to look around to see if anybody has two 1.6s to test fit on my heads. Maybe one of the speedshops or someone will be nice enough to let me borrow a couple.

They are on both. They were installed before finding out that intakes only usually makes more power. It runs good and I'm just too lazy to do anything about it smile.gif . I had them on my 882 heads before putting the SR Torquers on. You may need to enlarge the pushrod guides, I did. Comp sells a tool for doing this. I don't have a spare laying around or you would be welcome to it.

Thanks Pat.

What's involved in enlarging the pushrod wholes? Would I need to remove the heads or could it be done on the engine with a vaccum cleaner trying to catch the debris.

If i have to take of the heads, it might be a good time to swap the head gasket to a .028 vortec composite. (I want to run steel shims, but my dad is a skeptic. And its his house, his money, his rules, so I respect his decisions.)

The little gizmo is called a "Louis Tool" after Mr. Louis.

It is a 5/16" drill bit guide that locates the drill bit in the P/R slot so that you can drill the P/R slots out closer to the head, thus increasing them length-wise..

I'm gonna have to come up with something to lengthen my P/R slots on my -601 heads myself if I opt to use the stock type, 1.6 rockers I just got from Midwest Motorsports last week..

Thanks for the replys guys. I live in Northwestern Pennsylvania. How hard would it be to keep the open rear end I have now and go from a 2.73 to a 3.08 or 3.31 and use the same carrier I have.

Also what do you guys think would be good rockers. Could you give me brands. Should I replace valve springs and pushrods if I switch. I don't want to take of the heads. Thanks.

I'm not sure you can. You probably have a 2 series carrier and the other gears fit a 3 series. It might be easier and cheaper to find a used rear end with the gears you want. 8.2 10 bolts are not very popular so shouldn't be expensive at all. If your's is a 8.5" 10 bolts, and it could be given your car is a 71, you would still need to change carriers but it is a good candidate for a further build up. BTW, a posi unit replaces the carrier so you might consider that.

You should not need to change springs or pushrods. Although checking for coil bind is mandatory. As said above, you might need to enlarge the pushrod holes in the heads. I think this can be done on the engine but it is a bit risky. Metal flakes can cause damage. Stock type 1.6 will work fine. I have Comp's Magnum roller tips. I bought them almost 13 years ago when they were much cheaper then now.

just look on ebay for a used carrier with ring and pinion. i got my 3 series carrier with 3.08 gears for very very cheap...
-Jay

From what I've read, 2.73 and numerically higher gears are all the same carrier according to jegs, summit, and OPG... on an 8.5" 10 bolt that is. graemlins/beers.gif
good to have another young guy, I'm 17 also.